New Blog

I stumbled across a blog that I'm really enjoying regarding thoughts on parenting and parenting style. http://blog.positivediscipline.com/

I agree with some of it, have a few quibbles with the rest, and overall enjoy the challenge it presents to my beliefs about parenting.

In the last two and a half years that I've been working on my own parenting style, I've decided it's not always about what you choose to do, but rather why. If you have a good, clear sense about why you are doing something, it radically changes what you elect, or decline, to do. As a parent, I see everyday how much control I have over the girls' lives and how it ultimately rests with me what kind of life I choose to give them.

McPartland, McPartland, McPartland

She doesn't read my blog, but I want to wish her a happy birthday today anyway.

St. Patrick's Day

Yeah, the list for ways to communicate non-violently was really supposed to be a wish for a Happy St. Patrick's day. Incidentally, the observance of St. Patrick's day was moved this year since it falls in Holy Week. Holy Week trumps other feast days liturgically.

They're a delicacy

Tim was holding Annie.
Annie was picking her nose.
Tim asked Annie to stop picking her nose.
Annie pulled her finger out of her nose, only to put it in her mouth.
Tim and I thought that was gross.
Annie began slurping loudly, which her Daddy taught her to do when she enjoys something.
Annie continued slurping heartily.
Annie added "Yummy"
I commented to Tim, "She's enjoying her boogers so much, it almost makes them look appealing."
Annie continued, "That's delicious."
Tim replied, "They're a delicacy."

Contributing to Peace

10 Things We Can Do to Contribute to Internal, Interpersonal, and Organizational Peace

(1) Spend some time each day quietly reflecting on how we would like to relate to ourselves and others.

(2) Remember that all human beings have the same needs.

(3) Check our intention to see if we are as interested in others getting their needs met as our own.

(4) When asking someone to do something, check first to see if we are making a request or a demand.

(5) Instead of saying what we DON'T want someone to do, say what we DO want the person to do.

(6) Instead of saying what we want someone to BE, say what action we'd like the person to take that we hope will help the person be that way.

(7) Before agreeing or disagreeing with anyone's opinions, try to tune in to what the person is feeling and needing.

(8) Instead of saying "No," say what need of ours prevents us from saying "Yes."

(9) If we are feeling upset, think about what need of ours is not being met, and what we could do to meet it, instead of thinking about what's wrong with others or ourselves.

(10) Instead of praising someone who did something we like, express our gratitude by telling the person what need of ours that action met.

The Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) would like there to be a critical mass of people using Nonviolent Communication language so all people will get their needs met and resolve their conflicts peacefully.

2001, revised 2004 Gary Baran & CNVC. The right to freely duplicate this document is hereby granted.